Kenneth Snelson Needle Tower (1969) - 90 x 18 x 18 feet. The Netherlands.
Tensegrity - term coined by architect Buckminster Fuller. “tensional” and “integrity". These unconventional structures maintain their stability, or integrity, through a pervasive tensional force, hence the term tensegrity. In 1949, Fuller's student, the sculptor Kenneth Snelson, created the first structure to be defined as a "tensegrity". Using two X-shaped wooden struts suspended in air by a taut nylon cable, Snelson captured the defining features of tensegrity:
biotensegrity - mimics the human skeleton - bones for compression, tendons for tension
What's the problem? NASAs Squishable Ball Botvideo (5:55) - The "Super Ball Bot", under development at NASA Ames, is a robotic exoskeleton designed to land on the surface of Titan without a parachute or airbag. It can then roll about the surface by adjusting its shape.
Ask - Create a simple, light-weight structure that can land on a planet surface and then move around easily.
Imagine - What are some structural designs that that can be used? How can these be adapted for use in a planetary lander?
Plan, Create - Many ideas were designed with computer simulations and drawing software. Actual robots were constructed to test the best designs.
Improve - What are some of the improvements that can be made to the test robots to make them better?
That's engineering
Engineering ideas
stability, integrity, tension
Do It
Challenges for you to work on...
find some examples of tensegrity structures. Where are they located? Why were they created?
make a tensegrity model - 3 dowels with slots in the ends and 3 rubber bands - there will be 2 connections in each end of each dowel to make a 3 dimensional structure. Then try making one with 6 dowels and 6 rubber bands. Dartmouth Structures - Tensegrity (video 6:57)
Tensegrity - term coined by architect Buckminster Fuller. “tensional” and “integrity". These unconventional structures maintain their stability, or integrity, through a pervasive tensional force, hence the term tensegrity. In 1949, Fuller's student, the sculptor Kenneth Snelson, created the first structure to be defined as a "tensegrity". Using two X-shaped wooden struts suspended in air by a taut nylon cable, Snelson captured the defining features of tensegrity:
What's the problem?
NASAs Squishable Ball Bot video (5:55) - The "Super Ball Bot", under development at NASA Ames, is a robotic exoskeleton designed to land on the surface of Titan without a parachute or airbag. It can then roll about the surface by adjusting its shape.
That's engineering
Engineering ideas
Do It
Challenges for you to work on...
News, updates
Learn more...
..1e 2a